Mystery surrounding the whereabouts of China’s defense chief just months after he ascended to the post is now fueling questions about his fate and the stability of the Chinese Communist Party. Li Shangfu, whom Chinese leader Xi Jinping handpicked as his defense minister in March, has been missing from public view for 17 days straight, with his last appearance dated on Aug. 29, delivering a keynote address to African defense officials at the security forum in Beijing. A stream of reports citing sources in China and U.S. officials suggest that Mr. Li has been stripped of his responsibilities and is possibly under investigation for corruption, which would make him the fourth senior Chinese official falling from grace less a year into Mr. Xi’s third term....Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/china/analysis-disappearance-of-chinese-defense-minister-points-to-ccp-turmoil-5492595